Everyone knew the Gardener was upset, and perplexed, about his prize tomato going missing. It was the first tomato on his first tomato plant, and the first one to ripen and turn red.

And then it mysteriously disappeared. Coincidentally, Raccoon had invited Squirrel and Mama Chipmunk to her tree nest that day for lunch. There were tomato sandwiches on sourdough toast, with homemade mayonnaise and fresh basil. And ice-cold lemonade to drink.

(August 2022)

Story © Jennifer Singleton / Read+Purr

This is another vignette in my ongoing series of Tiny Garden Stories: peaceful 1-minute tales, full of cozy vibes, delicious details, and generous dollops of imagination & whimsy. Click one of the first two buttons below to go to (or back to, if that’s where you fell down the rabbit hole) either the Public Garden archive page or (if you’re a Story Club member) to the Private Garden page. Or click the third button to learn more about my Tiny Garden Stories. Want each week’s featured story delivered directly to your inbox? Subscribe to my Substack.